NEWS COVERAGE AIDS DETECTIVES IN IDENTIFYING STRONG-ARM ROBBER

​NEWS COVERAGE AIDS DETECTIVES IN IDENTIFYING STRONG-ARM ROBBER

PIO Number: 19-3-13 (19-1-20)

Date: March 15, 2019

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives blasted images of a distinctly tattooed robber after the strong-arm robbery he committed the afternoon of January 4 in Tamarac. Their media savvy paid off when two Broward Crime Stoppers’ tips identified Elliott Watson as the man in the news stories. Detectives arrested Watson on February 26. He now faces charges of grand theft, robbery and fraud and is held on a $35,000 bond.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., the victim parked his car at the north end of the Bank of America parking lot near 3883 W. Commercial Blvd. and walked over to the ATM. When he got back to his car, Watson approached him and demanded his property. They struggled for a moment, but Watson was able to get away with the victim’s cellphone and several bank cards.

Later that same day, Watson used the stolen cards at the Foot Locker located at 3650 West Broward Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. He made two transactions totaling more than $900.

At 2:32 p.m., he tried to use the victim’s credit card at J & L Liquors located at 3875 N.W. 19th Street in Lauderdale Lakes, but the card was declined.

Anyone with additional information can contact BSO Det. Mark Copley at 954-321-4738. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.